UN Chief calls for fair distribution of COVID-19 vaccine

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticized and called out the wildly uneven and unfair global distribution of the Coronavirus vaccines amid the ongoing pandemic.

UN Chief made these remarks during an online meeting of the UNSC on February 17, 2021, that was chaired by the British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab. He further noted that just 10 countries have administered 75 percent of all the vaccines, while more than 130 countries have not been able to receive even a single dose.

Meanwhile, the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged a payment of over USD 200 million to the World Health Organisation by the end of February 2021 to support the vaccination plan.

Progress on #COVID19 vaccinations has been wildly uneven & unfair.

The world urgently needs a Global Vaccination Plan to bring together all those with the required power, expertise & production capacities.

I am ready to mobilize the full @UN System in support of this effort. pic.twitter.com/YSp8JIBIx2

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) February 17, 2021

Call to create global vaccination plan:

The Chief of the United Nations during the virtual meeting called for the creation of the global vaccination plan in order to ensure the equal distribution of Coronavirus vaccines worldwide.

Just 10 countries have administered 75% of all #COVID19 vaccines.

Yet, more than 130 countries have not received a single dose.

Those affected by conflict & insecurity are being left behind.

Everyone, everywhere, must be vaccinated as soon as possible.

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) February 17, 2021

In a UNSC meeting, he mentioned that the world urgently requires a global vaccination plan for bringing together all those with the required power, production, scientific expertise, and financial capabilities.

He further added that he believes that G20 is well placed for establishing an emergency task force to prepare a global vaccination plan and to coordinate its financing and implementation.

COVAX Facility:

The United Nations head urged the member states of the UN to support the COVAX facility. It is a framework which is run by the World Health Organisation- WHO to ensure the equal and fair distribution of Coronavirus vaccines.

The initiative started in April 2020 by the European Commission, World Health Organisation, and the French government as a response to the Coronavirus pandemic. The facility aims to coordinate international resources for enabling equal access to the COVID-19 vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments.